Veterans Bedard and Veras joined Astros pitchers and catchers in the club’s first official workout, while Ankiel and Pena arrived three days ahead of the Friday report date for position players.

Ankiel and Bedard are 33-year-olds on make-good minor league contracts. Both have a strong chance to make the Astros, though, and chose their new team over other 2013 clubs expected to make the playoffs.

Ankiel totaled 47 home runs and 148 RBIs from 2007-09 with St. Louis but is coming off four consecutive down years (including his last with the Cardinals). He drew interest from Cincinnati and San Francisco, but the opportunity to reunite with Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter, in addition to the team’s need for a proven right fielder, was too promising to pass up.

“Certainly, this seemed like it was the best opportunity for me to get out there and (compete) day in and day out,” Ankiel said. “So we’re going to see how it plays out, and I’m excited.”

Bedard was 28-16 with 392 strikeouts in 3781⁄3 innings and 61 starts for Baltimore from 2006-07. He, too, has struggled during recent years.

Bedard acknowledged he’ll move on from the Astros if he can’t make the team out of spring training.

“I’d love to stay here and help contribute,” said Bedard, who’s shooting for a spot on the back end of the starting rotation.

Infielders get an early start

About 15 position players went through batting and fielding practice Tuesday, with everyone from general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter to assistant GM David Stearns watching the action.

The Astros basically had their starting infield intact just two days into spring training. Brett Wallace, Jose Altuve, Tyler Greene, Marwin Gonzalez and Matt Dominguez participated, joined by prospect Nate Freiman and Rick Ankiel, among others.

Before workouts, manager Bo Porter held a closed-door clubhouse meeting that was attended by players, coaches and front-office members. “We talked about the change, and you can look around and tell that things are changing,” Porter said. …

Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell are the only locks for the starting rotation. Jordan Lyles will have to compete for a spot, Porter said, but he is expected to make the cut. … All players except Chris Carter, Che-Hsuan Lin, Carlos Perez and Jose Martinez are in Kissimmee. Perez and Martinez are dealing with visa issues. Carter was recently acquired from Oakland, and the Astros are not concerned about his arrival. …